Illinois USSSA
Hall of Fame

Est. 1996 · Rockford, Illinois

Illinois USSSAHall of Fame

Established 1996 · Rockford, Illinois

Honoring the greats of Illinois USSSA, one name at a time.

Or draw a name from the Hall →

269
Inducted
29
Induction classes
14
Categories

01 About the Hall

The highest honor in Illinois USSSA softball.

The Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed on any individual who has excelled in their category. These honorees are considered an elite group who have promoted the Illinois USSSA with the highest character and integrity, and who have excelled at the topmost levels of competition that Illinois USSSA has to offer.

Eligibility, categories & requirements

02 The honorees

A wall of Illinois legends

269 inducted since 1996 — every face a chapter in the story of the game.

Browse all 269 inductees →
Portrait of Laurie "Smitty" Smith

Featured · Lifetime Achievement

Laurie "Smitty" Smith

Laurie “Smitty” Smith A self-described “fair player with a decent bat,” Laurie “Smitty” Smith played third base and catcher through a career that included roster spots on such Rockford Park District teams as First National Bank, Ace of Diamonds, Bolender Jewelers, Diamond Bar and Valley Furnace…

Read the full profile →

03 By the numbers

31 years of Illinois softball, in one archive

Inductees by decade

361990s 832000s 962010s 542020s

By category

Male Player94 Female Player40 Umpire28 Hall of Honor20 Pioneer Player17 Team Sponsor16 Manager14 Meritorious13 Director8 Associate7 Lifetime Achievement6 Honorary3 Longevity Player2 Complex1
Browse all 29 induction classes →
153
players honored
20
Hall of Honor teams
15
in the 2003 class
’96–’26
years represented

04 Browse by era

Four decades of the game

1990s36inductees 2000s83inductees 2010s96inductees 2020s54inductees

05 Browse the archive

Explore by category

Male Player94 inductees Female Player40 inductees Umpire28 inductees Hall of Honor20 inductees Pioneer Player17 inductees Team Sponsor16 inductees Manager14 inductees Meritorious13 inductees Director8 inductees Associate7 inductees Lifetime Achievement6 inductees Honorary3 inductees Longevity Player2 inductees Complex1 inductee

Every name here earned it — on the diamond, behind the plate, in the dugout, and on the books. This is Illinois USSSA, remembered.

06 Hall of Honor

Teams that defined an era

All 17 teams →

Just announced

Newly elected — the Class of 2026

Congratulations to the 13 newest elects, announced by the Hall of Fame Committee. They will be formally inducted at the 30th annual Induction Banquet in Rockford on November 7, 2026.

Aurora Turner ClubAssociate Ken Rock Community CenterAssociate Jason MyersDirector Jennifer PozzaniFemale Player Kluever Snap-onHall of Honor Rogers DrywallHall of Honor Chris GeronMale Player Dan SadewaterMale Player Dave MelosiMale Player Jeremy FreelandMale Player Bill HazerManager Todd AnkneyManager Lee EggersUmpire

Banquet details & reservations

07 The 2025 class

Most recent inductees

View all 269 →

Recognize a legend

Know someone who belongs here?

Players, umpires, managers, directors, sponsors, pioneers and teams who shaped Illinois USSSA softball can be nominated each year — it only takes a few minutes online.

Start a nomination →

Save the date

Annual Hall of Fame Induction Banquet

November 7, 2026 · Radisson Hotel & Conference Center, Rockford, IL. Dinner, testimonials, silent auction, and an evening among Hall of Famers.

Banquet details & tickets →